Man collapses, thief caught on camera doing the “unthinkable”

Police say one man’s medical emergency became another’s chance at a quick buck.

The callous crime in Illinois was caught on camera.

For Larry Lotter, it was a sudden, and terrifying experience.

“I felt fine, and then all at once, I took a drink of my beer, and I felt a real sharp pain, like somebody sticking an ice pick in my chest,” said Lotter.

Larry hit the floor. Friends called 911, and quickly gathered around him to help. Bryan Kuegler, with the dark hair and solid white shirt also hovered, and appeared to be concerned. But the reality was from it.

Lotter explains, “As the EMT’s were getting ready to come in, is when he reached down and grabbed my wallet and stuck it in his pants.

And then as the victim left the establishment, he went into the restroom, returned, threw the victim’s wallet back on the floor.”

But not before taking two $50 bills. And if that wasn’t bad enough … “He tried to buy the girl who Larry was with that day a drink with the money he took,” said bar owner Mike Lovsey.

The heart attack was luckily a false alarm.

And thanks to crystal clear surveillance, Lotter was quickly able to identify the suspect. He happened to put brakes on Kuegler’s car just over a month ago.

“I was shocked. I couldn’t believe someone would do something like that,” said Lotter.

Now, Kuegler is behind bars in Madison County, charged with felony theft from person.

According to the victim, doctors said he did not have a heart attack, and it’s possible the suspect slipped something into his drink.

Investigators say Kuegler has a long criminal history, with offenses including theft, domestic battery and narcotics.